Anybody know much about immersion blenders. We're on our second Cuisinart immersion blender. The first had a bad plastic gear design, so they sent us a knew one. We've been using it for a year and the new gear design is solid. My family likes to make smoothies, often with frozen fruit. Last week my daughter overstressed the motor--it smells a bit.

I stopped by the Dine Company today and they have a Waring with a blade assembly about the same size. It is slightly bigger and has two speeds. It is a one-piece design that probably uses plastic gearing as well. Oddly enough, the Cuisinart has a 200 watt motor, with the Waring a 120 watt motor. The larger Warings are way too big and expensive for what we need.

Waring: Power: 120 volts, .8 amps, 60 hertz, 100 watts

I was thinking of getting the Waring, but I'm not sure it will actually be any better. Thoughts?

Charles, we have been using a Braun 200 watt model for years with no real complaints. Recently I got a Ninja on a W00t.com daily deal because it looked big and powerful and was cheap on the special price. In person it looks kind of "plastic," but it works fine. I'm perfectly happy with both, but frankly, I think all you get with additional power is more likelihood of splashing if you use it in a pan.

For what it's worth, here's a Consumer Reports rating sheet for six brands. Note a significant spread between the top three and the bottom three. Only the top three were listed as "recommended."

Thanks to both. I know the Waring in the CR review is their 2 piece retail model (despite the "professional" moniker) while the one at Dine costs double and is a commercial model. Don't know if that makes it better.

I have the Bamix and I wouldn't use anything else. It is very highly rated on Williams-Sonoma's website, for what that's worth. Works great, sensible design, never had a problem with it. OK, other than when I was doing a roasted-potato leek soup that had arugula in it, and the arugula wound around the blades and it quit working, that is until I unwound the leaves from it. You have to be careful with things like that - don't know if that's a universal problem with all immersion blenders, or if it's just a problem with the Bamix. Nothing major once I figured out what had happened. Also, the cost is not $180 on Williams-Sonoma.com. More like $130.

i have an older Braun that i bought at a thrift store. it says 160 w and Household type on it. I feel it is pretty good and never feel that i am over-working it. I use it to make soups and salsas. Just tonight i made a huge batch of salsa verde and used my immersion blender for it. Personally though, i think the fact that it is older has something to do with it lasting longer and being tough.

Right now the Cuisinart is still functioning. It works well for most things, but when my daughter is blending frozen fruit and PB, it is quite a load. That's why I thought the commercial model might be better.

I'm more with Annemarie than Robin on this one - the more power, the better. I say that with the caveat that the more power the blender has, the more speed settings you want available. If it's got a ton of power but one setting, then yes, with thinner things you might just end up decorating the kitchen.

That's why I wanted some personal experience from others because elsewhere ( Consumer Reports maybe? Not sure because I've read so many reviews by now) Cuisinart got some pretty poor reviews often with KitchenAide scoring higher. I know much of the Cuisinart kitchenware -apart from pots/pans, which seem to be their best product- has been cr** and has not held up to normal use at all. Knowing how advertising, Yelp, and other review formats work (read money crossing palms) I wanted some in the trenches experiences.

Gary G. Yes, I agree with you about the Waring. It does look reasonable and priced well too.

I love my immersion blender, but I made a mistake when I believe the marketing that said it was dishwasher safe, and now the foiling around the top of the blender attachments is all shriveled and peeling off, probably should have just rinsed it each time!

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